No proof Thai army killed Reuters cameraman Hiro Muramoto - police

After reviewing a report by Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation, police said they could not determine whether Muramoto, pictured, a 43-year-old Japanese national, was killed by troops while filming anti-government demonstrations last April.

The DSI had said in November that a soldier may have fired the shot, but it now says the type of bullet was inconsistent with those used by soldiers that day. The latest police investigation has concurred with the DSI.

“Based on what we have received (from the DSI), there is not yet any conclusive evidence or witness accounts to show that the authorities were responsible,” said Police General Ek Angsananond.

“We have sent the report back to the DSI, which will continue with the investigation. If they find more and want us to look at it again, we will do so.”

Muramoto was killed by a high-velocity bullet wound to the chest while covering chaotic clashes between “red shirt” protesters and troops in Bangkok’s old quarter.

Witness accounts in a preliminary DSI investigation seen by Reuters in December said the fatal shot came from the direction of troops. A witness was quoted as saying he saw “a flash from a gun barrel of a soldier,” then watched Muramoto fall after he was shot in the chest while filming the troops.

DSI Chief Tharit Pengdith has said investigators had not been able to determine who fired the shot that killed Muramoto. However, he said the police investigation had showed that soldiers were not responsible.

“We will continue with the investigation. But at this level, it’s clear from the police investigation that members of the security forces were not involved,” he added. ■